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Timo Curtiss, is a multi-disciplinary artist from Pico Rivera, CA. He is a well known visual artist and talent multi-instrumentalist that goes by the name ‘Arte y Cultura‘. His visual art varies in medium and technique with subjects usually drawn from images, symbolism, iconic figures, and spirituality in the Mexica/Chicano tradition. Timo acknowledges that his passion for creativity has in a large way changed his life for the better as he has reportedly ‘been on both sides of the track’. This experience has given him the empathy, respect, and discipline to draw out the various elements of his creativity in both paint and music.

Timo’s art and music has been featured in events across Los Angeles at events such as the La Puente Artwalk, Dia de Los Muertos – El Monte, Boyle Heights Art Walk, Uptown Whittier Dia de Los Muertos, Pomona Art Walk, and others. Timo has also produced and curated events such as a series of Chicano art exhibitions at the La Puente Artwalk from 2013-2014. Timo has played in various musical groups across the years, recently being the founder of the ‘La Recalentada’ band, and now a percussionist of ‘The Automatic Knives‘.

His visual art influences are deeply rooted in the symbolism, mysticism, and traditions of the Mexica and indigenous peoples of the Americas as well as contemporary influences from the Muralism styles of the Chicano Movement, the Pachucho movement of the 1940s and its current revival in the Eastside of Los Angeles. However, preeminent among his influences is the art and expression of the great Mexican artist, activist, engraver, and print maker Jose Guadalupe Posada, whose ‘Calavera Arte’ forms a direct link to Timo’s creativity and style.

His musical influences are diverse and yet still reflect the tribal, indigenous, and activist sources that he draws on for his visual art. Among chief sources of inspiration are Carlos Santana, Poncho Sanchez, Tito Puente, Los Lobos, and oldies and soul in the tradition of Art Laboe’s Oldies but Goodies music collection.

Timo often volunteers his talents at local Pico Rivera and Whittier area schools as an art mentor in mural and other art projects. He has led several art workshops in the local community across the years.

Timo joined the Nuvein Foundation in 2014 under the guidance and encouragement of Javier Hernandez and Chris Trevilla. He proudly serves Nuvein as the Director of Arts Programs, where he is interested in creating murals with students across the San Gabriel Valley, continuing to offer art workshops to children and adults, and support the work of fellow artists and musicians from all over Los Angeles, California, and beyond.